To improve the safety of passengers of a motor vehicle and road users in the case of a head-on collision, a deformation element is provided and includes a crossmember holder for mounting to a crossmember and a bumper plate that can be positioned next to a bumper of a motor vehicle. The deformation element is characterized in that a centrifugal force-operated release element for adjusting and locking the distance of the crossmember holder from the bumper plate is provided between the bumper plate and the crossmember holder. A first distance of the bumper plate from the crossmember holder, starting from a normal position, is greater in a first position than a distance in a second position.
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1. A deformation element for a motor vehicle having a crossmember and a bumper, the deformation element comprising:
a crossmember holder configured for mounting to the crossmember of the motor vehicle;
a bumper plate positionable next to the bumper of the motor vehicle;
a centrifugal-force-activated release element that adjusts a distance between the crossmember holder and the bumper plate using a centrifugal lever of the centrifugal-force-activated release element which centrifugal lever is configured to be activatable by centrifugal force applied to the centrifugal lever, the centrifugal-force-activated release element being arranged between the bumper plate and the crossmember holder, wherein
a first distance between the bumper plate and the crossmember holder, starting from a normal position, in a first position is greater than a distance in a second position.
8. A motor vehicle, comprising:
a crossmember;
a bumper;
a deformation element, wherein the deformation element comprises:
a crossmember holder configured for mounting to the crossmember of the motor vehicle;
a bumper plate positionable next to the bumper of the motor vehicle;
a centrifugal-force-activated release element that adjusts a distance between the crossmember holder and the bumper plate using a centrifugal lever of the centrifugal-force-activated release element which centrifugal lever is configured to be activatable by centrifugal force applied to the centrifugal lever, the centrifugal-force-activated release element being arranged between the bumper plate and the crossmember holder, wherein
a first distance between the bumper plate and the crossmember holder, starting from a normal position, in a first position is greater than a distance in a second position.
2. The deformation element as claimed in
the crossmember holder has a holding device fastened thereto,
a displacement device is movable with respect to the holding device, wherein the centrifugal-force-activated release element is located in a displaceable manner in the displacement device, and the bumper plate is arranged on the centrifugal-force-activated release element, and
a common locking device is provided for the holding device and the displacement device, the common locking device being configured to be optionally locked or released by the centrifugal-force-activated release element such that it allows the holding device and the displacement device to be locked in the first position and allows the holding device and the displacement device to be released in the second position.
3. The deformation element as claimed in
the centrifugal-force-activated release element comprises a piston, wherein
at one end of the piston the bumper plate is arranged,
at the other end of the piston the centrifugal lever is arranged, and
the centrifugal lever butts against the release element when the second position is taken up.
4. The deformation element as claimed in
5. The deformation element as claimed in
the locking device is located in the displacement device and the holding device in a resettable manner.
6. The deformation element as claimed in
the locking device is located in the displacement device and the holding device in a resettable manner.
7. The deformation element as claimed in
the locking device is located in the displacement device and the holding device in a resettable manner.
9. The motor vehicle as claimed in
the crossmember holder has a holding device fastened thereto,
a displacement device is movable with respect to the holding device, wherein the centrifugal-force-activated release element is located in a displaceable manner in the displacement device, and the bumper plate is arranged on the centrifugal-force-activated release element, and
a common locking device is provided for the holding device and the displacement device, the common locking device being configured to be optionally locked or released by the centrifugal-force-activated release element such that it allows the holding device and the displacement device to be locked in the first position and allows the holding device and the displacement device to be released in the second position.
10. The motor vehicle as claimed in
the centrifugal-force-activated release element comprises a piston, wherein
at one end of the piston the bumper plate is arranged,
at the other end of the piston the centrifugal lever is arranged, and
the centrifugal lever butts against the release element when the second position is taken up.
12. The motor vehicle as claimed in
the locking device is located in the displacement device and the holding device in a resettable manner.
13. The motor vehicle as claimed in
a plurality of the deformation elements arranged in a vehicle transverse direction, wherein
the centrifugal-force-activated release element of each of the plurality of the deformation elements are not identical.
14. The motor vehicle as claimed in
the centrifugal-force-activated release elements have at least one of different mass, dimensions, and resetting devices.
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This application is a continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2016/064178, filed Jun. 20, 2016, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from German Patent Application No. 10 2015 211 979.3, filed Jun. 26, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to a deformation element for a motor vehicle having a crossmember holder for attaching to a crossmember and a bumper plate that is positionable next to a bumper of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle equipped with such a deformation element.
In order to protect a motor vehicle in the event of a frontal collision, as well as occupants of the motor vehicle who are involved in such a collision and persons, in particular pedestrians, who are located outside the motor vehicle and get caught up in the collision, a number of measures are provided.
In the event of what is known as a low speed crash, in which a comparatively high load of up to about 100 kN acts on the front region of a motor vehicle at a comparatively low speed of 4 km/h to about 20 km/h (for example, in the form of a parking dent), provision is made for the load to be absorbed reversibly and with as little disruption as possible by a deformation element of the vehicle.
In order to provide a pedestrian protection function in the front region of a motor vehicle, provision is made for a comparatively low load of up to about 5 kN in a comparatively high speed range of about 20 km/h to 40 km/h to be absorbed by a deformation element provided in the front region of the motor vehicle.
In order to realize protection in the case of a low speed crash and for a pedestrian protection function, DE 10 2011 009 943 A1 discloses an energy absorption system to be installed between a bumper and a crossmember of a motor vehicle, in which a soft component and a hard component are enmeshed in one another and extend across the entire width of the motor vehicle. When the known energy absorption system is used, a comparatively large overhang (i.e. the distance from the wheel center to the frontmost point of the front trim panel) can result, this not always being desired from an aesthetic point of view and additionally having a negative impact on the ramp angle of the corresponding motor vehicle.
The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
This and other objects are achieved by a deformation element having a crossmember holder for attaching to a crossmember and a bumper plate that is positionable next to a bumper of the motor vehicle. A centrifugal-force-activated release element for adjusting and locking the distance between the crossmember holder and bumper plate is provided between the bumper plate and crossmember holder. A first distance between the bumper plate and crossmember holder, starting from a normal position, in a first position is greater than a distance in a second position.
The deformation element according to the invention has a crossmember holder for attaching to a crossmember and a bumper plate that is positionable next to a bumper of a motor vehicle. Furthermore, a centrifugal-force-activated release element for adjusting and locking the distance between the crossmember holder and bumper plate is provided between the bumper plate and crossmember holder, wherein a first distance between the bumper plate and crossmember holder, starting from a normal position, in a first position is greater than a distance in a second position.
By means of a deformation element configured in such a way, reliable and precise load-case-dependent actuation of the deformation element is advantageously allowed.
According to an advantageous configuration of the deformation element according to the invention, provision is made for the bumper plate to be arranged on the centrifugal-force-activated release element, which is located in a displaceable manner in a displacement device that is movable with respect to a holding device fastened to the crossmember holder, wherein the holding device and the displacement device have a common locking device which is configured to be optionally locked or releasable by the centrifugal-force-activated release device such that it allows the holding device and displacement device to be locked in the first position and allows the holding device and displacement device to be released in the second position. This allows a further-optimized load-case-dependent triggering and displacement of the deformation element according to the invention.
A particularly simple design of the deformation element according to the invention is achieved when the centrifugal-force-activated release device has a plunger or piston, at one end of which the bumper plate is arranged and at the other end of which at least one centrifugal lever is arranged, which butts against the release device when the second position is taken up.
When, according to a further embodiment, at least one centrifugal lever has a resetting device, load-case-dependent settability of the deformation element according to the invention is advantageously rendered easier.
According to an advantageous development of the deformation element according to the invention, provision is made for the locking device to be located in the displacement device and the holding device in a resettable manner.
The abovementioned object is likewise achieved by a motor vehicle having a crossmember and a bumper, wherein a deformation element of the type according to the invention and set out above is provided. The abovementioned advantages apply in a corresponding manner.
According to the invention, a number of deformation elements according to the invention can be provided in the vehicle transverse direction, such that a whole range of load cases or protective functions are realized. In this case, the position thereof, for example the arrangement thereof parallel to the vehicle vertical axis, is designable freely with respect to a vehicle body and is limited only by the underlying load case.
Particularly advantageously, the deformation elements fastened in such a way, in particular along the crossmember, have at least partially centrifugal-force-activated release elements with different masses, dimensions and/or resetting device, in particular springs with different spring constants. This allows the deformation elements to adapt easily to different load cases in a position-dependent manner.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
A detailed, nonprejudicial, in particular nonlimiting, description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is given in the following text with reference to
Fastened to the crossmember holder 5 is a holding device 25 in which a displacement device 30 is accommodated in a displaceable manner. The bumper plate 15 for its part is mounted in the displacement device 30 likewise in a displaceable manner. The distance between the crossmember holder 5 and bumper plate 15 is D in the normal position shown here, i.e. outside of any crash situation.
The deformation element 1 illustrated in
In a normal position, displacement of the displacement device 30 within the holding device 25 is prevented by, in this exemplary embodiment, two locking devices 55. The locking devices 55 are each mounted in a displaceable manner in respective openings 60 in the displacement device 30 and openings 65 in the holding device 25. Each locking device 55 is provided with a run-on slope 70, against which the respective ends, distally remote from the pivot axes 40, of the respective centrifugal levers 45 come into abutment.
Starting from the normal position, shown in
In such a load case, the piston 35 plunges into the displacement device 30, wherein the angle γ is substantially maintained on account of inertia. The two centrifugal levers 45 thus do not move in the z direction such that they would strike the respective run-on slopes 70. Thus, the locking devices 55 remain in their position and the bumper plate 15 only moves to a point at which it comes into contact with the displacement device 30. The distance D1, established in the process, between the bumper plate 15 and crossmember holder 5 is in this case less than the distance D in the normal position.
On account of the comparatively large acceleration that occurs in this load case, the piston 35 does not just plunge into the displacement device 30, but rather the centrifugal levers 45 are deployed in the z direction on account of centrifugal force (the upper centrifugal lever 45 shown in
This procedure allows a maximum reduction in the distance D to a distance D2 of the bumper plate 15 from the crossmember holder 5 in the second position, representing a low speed crash. As can be gathered from
The deformation element 1 illustrated in
The latter does take place, however, as already explained above, in the case of a pedestrian protection function being taken up in accordance with
The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
Riedl, Wilhelm, Akif, Oeztzan, Fichtinger, Gerhard, Grehl, Marco
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Nov 28 2017 | RIEDL, WILHELM | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 044843 | /0808 | |
Nov 30 2017 | GREHL, MARCO | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 044843 | /0808 | |
Dec 22 2017 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Jan 24 2018 | AKIF, OEZTZAN | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 044843 | /0808 | |
Jan 30 2018 | FICHTINGER, GERHARD | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 044843 | /0808 |
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